The NFL's oldest rivalry resumes with its 185th meeting, and it already might be a critical game for the hosts, even in Week 2.

San Francisco wiped up the Lambeau Stadium field (no tundra in September, of course) with the Packers last Sunday, handing Green Bay as many losses as it had in 2011. Chicago, meanwhile, toyed with Indianapolis and heads to this Thursday nighter loaded with confidence.

Green Bay, which dropped from the top spot to No. 5 in the AP Pro32 power rankings, wants no part of falling two games behind the Bears (No. 8, AP Pro32) so early in the schedule. The Packers, 6-point favorites in this one, don't get another shot at the Bears until Dec. 16.

Chicago showed plenty of balance in its opener, and the Jay Cutler to Brandon Marshall combination was superb: Marshall had 119 yards on nine receptions and scored a touchdown, while Cutler passed for 333 yards.

"We're trying to build a new thing here in Chicago," Marshall said. "It's going to take a lot of hard work. It was a great start."

Former Bears running back Cedric Benson goes against the team with which he broke into the NFL. It is no big deal to Benson, who was no big deal against San Francisco with a mere 19 yards on nine carries in his Packers debut.

"That was so long ago," Benson said of his time in Chicago. "I already got my shot at them a couple years ago."

Indeed. With Cincinnati three years ago, Benson rushed 37 times for 189 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals.

He won't go off this time, but he'll help the Packers squeeze out a win.